February 8, 2011
To the Editor
Last night, after an interesting round of idea sharing by community members and town board members, the town board of the Town of Woodstock rescinded its resolution of January 25th 2011 stating that “Shall the Town of Woodstock transfer up to $50,000 from the Building Capital Reserve type fund to the Community Center Capital Project. We would like to say thank you to those who worked so very hard to help convince our elected officials to be open to reconsidering this resolution. Thanks also to the Woodstock voters who signed the petition calling for a referendum on this resolution. Your efforts helped alert the town board members that they must take into careful consideration the needs and wishes of local taxpayers.
During part of last nights discussion, council woman Magarelli shared that it has been recommended that a structural engineer make a formal assessment of the Woodstock Community center. We and others look forward to hearing what this assessment will say about this tired old structure.
In the mean time, we would like to reemphasize that many of us urge the Woodstock Town board to give strong consideration to committing time, energy and funds to the needs of all our town employees. Think first of those who work at the police, court and dispatch and those who work at the Comeau offices. These are the areas of building improvements that we see as a priority.
Sincerely,
Janine Fallon Mower
John Mower
jmower@hvc.rr.com
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Why I agreed to carry petitions
February 1 2011
Letter to the Editor,
Why did I agree to carry a petition asking for a public referendum on a town board resolution passed on Tuesday Jan 25th 2011? When I saw the dollar amount on draft agendas of the resolution to transfer $ to a Community Center Capital Project more than double from $17,000 to $50,000 in less than 48 hours, I thought, don’t we already have plans drawn up to make improvements on this 100 year old building? The second draft agenda contained a resolution that was of more concern than the fee for an architect. The town board was prepared to vote to commit the Woodstock tax payer to $ 450,000 worth of improvements to the building that was built for summer services by the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Johns in the early 1920’s .
During the beginning of the 15 minute special town board meeting, it was apparent that something drastic needed to be done to raise community awareness to what was going to occur that night. Supervisor Moran presented the resolution and once he hastily read thru the first resolution, without taking a breath he called for a vote on the commitment of $450,000 to the Capital Improvement Fund. I interjected myself into the process by asking why the dollar figure had to be in the resolution if the purpose of the resolution was merely to create the account so that private donors would have a dedicated fund their donations could be allocated into. Jeff Moran replied that the $450,000 is a maximum or a cap to be spent on the improvements. Cathy Magarelli interjected that this resolution shows the private donors that the town has intent to spend money to renovate the town community center.
Here’s what I think. We, as taxpayers, are waiting with trepidation for the cost estimate for the renovation of another old building to improve the working condition of the police, court and dispatch. I’m not ready to commit via resolution monies from “general fund revenues “or “proceeds from the sale of bond anticipation notes, bonds not to exceed $ 450,000” for a community center. I am also; as I’m sure others are, waiting with a little impatience for a plan to be presented to improve the working conditions of the town clerk and other employees who currently work out of another aging structure at the Comeau offices.
I’m told it’s too late, the resolution has been voted on and it’s not possible to rescind. Sign the petitions calling for a referendum and send a message to the town board that we want the needs of the employees to be taken care of first.
Janine Mower
jmower@hvc.rr.com
Letter to the Editor,
Why did I agree to carry a petition asking for a public referendum on a town board resolution passed on Tuesday Jan 25th 2011? When I saw the dollar amount on draft agendas of the resolution to transfer $ to a Community Center Capital Project more than double from $17,000 to $50,000 in less than 48 hours, I thought, don’t we already have plans drawn up to make improvements on this 100 year old building? The second draft agenda contained a resolution that was of more concern than the fee for an architect. The town board was prepared to vote to commit the Woodstock tax payer to $ 450,000 worth of improvements to the building that was built for summer services by the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Johns in the early 1920’s .
During the beginning of the 15 minute special town board meeting, it was apparent that something drastic needed to be done to raise community awareness to what was going to occur that night. Supervisor Moran presented the resolution and once he hastily read thru the first resolution, without taking a breath he called for a vote on the commitment of $450,000 to the Capital Improvement Fund. I interjected myself into the process by asking why the dollar figure had to be in the resolution if the purpose of the resolution was merely to create the account so that private donors would have a dedicated fund their donations could be allocated into. Jeff Moran replied that the $450,000 is a maximum or a cap to be spent on the improvements. Cathy Magarelli interjected that this resolution shows the private donors that the town has intent to spend money to renovate the town community center.
Here’s what I think. We, as taxpayers, are waiting with trepidation for the cost estimate for the renovation of another old building to improve the working condition of the police, court and dispatch. I’m not ready to commit via resolution monies from “general fund revenues “or “proceeds from the sale of bond anticipation notes, bonds not to exceed $ 450,000” for a community center. I am also; as I’m sure others are, waiting with a little impatience for a plan to be presented to improve the working conditions of the town clerk and other employees who currently work out of another aging structure at the Comeau offices.
I’m told it’s too late, the resolution has been voted on and it’s not possible to rescind. Sign the petitions calling for a referendum and send a message to the town board that we want the needs of the employees to be taken care of first.
Janine Mower
jmower@hvc.rr.com
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Town Board Agenda for Jan 25, 2011
Description:
Agenda:
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
Purpose of the meeting:
1) To offer a resolution to access funds in the Building Capital Reserve type fund.
2) For the Land Use Subcommittee to present to the Town Board its
recommended Stewardship Management Plan as required by the First
Amendment to Deed of Conservation Easement on the Comeau Property.
3) It is expected that the Town Board will enter into executive
session at approximately 5:45 in the Supervisor’s Cottage for the
purpose of discussing: Proposals for labor negotiations.
RESOLUTIONS:
WHEREAS, the Town seeks to move forward on necessary improvements and expansions to the Woodstock Community Center building, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED to establish the Community Center Capital Project (H .064) for the renovation/rehabilitation of the Community Center, an existing structure of 3,100+/- square feet, presently used for Town Board and other public meetings, for the Senior Recreation Program, the Summer Recreation program, and other programming, for Town-sponsored special events and for other special events, and for the Woodstock Public Access television station, located at 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock, New York, as further described as follows: architectural and engineering fees; improvements to the Public Access station to accommodate new equipment, lavatory facilities, and air conditioning; expansion of the rear stage area, improvements to the building's envelope and devices for more energy efficiency, implementation of layouts and devices compliant with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED to finance the aforementioned project with appropriations from private donations made to the Community Center Trust and Agency Account T09825, and/or appropriations from General Fund Revenues, including incentives from the NYS Energy Development Authority, and/or proceeds from the sale of bond anticipation notes, bonds not to exceed $450,000, and/or reserves established for this purpose, and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED no expenditures shall be made from this fund without the approval of the Woodstock Town Board.
WHEREAS the Town Board will require professional architectural services for the preliminary design and presentation drawings, for models of the renovation and addition project for the existing Woodstock Community Center building, and for a full set of construction documents for bidding purposes, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED to authorize a transfer of up to $50,000 from the Building Capital Reserve (A0.901) type fund to the Community Center Capital Project (H .064) to pay for said professional architectural services, such expenditure being subject to permissive referendum, and BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk shall post a legal notice in the January 25 edition of the Town’s official newspaper reading, “Shall the Town of Woodstock transfer up to $50,000 from the Building Capital Reserve type fund to the Community Center Capital Project to finance professional architectural services for the preliminary design and presentation drawings, for models of the renovation and addition project for the existing Woodstock Community Center building, and for a full set of construction documents for bidding purposes, such expenditure subject to permissive referendum.”
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
It is anticipated that the Board will enter in to EXECUTIVE SESSION at approximately 5:45PM in the Supervisor’s Cottage for the purpose of discussing: Proposals for labor negotiations and
It is expected that the Board will return to REGULAR SESSION at approximately 6:30PM to entertain a motion to adjourn.
Agenda:
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
Purpose of the meeting:
1) To offer a resolution to access funds in the Building Capital Reserve type fund.
2) For the Land Use Subcommittee to present to the Town Board its
recommended Stewardship Management Plan as required by the First
Amendment to Deed of Conservation Easement on the Comeau Property.
3) It is expected that the Town Board will enter into executive
session at approximately 5:45 in the Supervisor’s Cottage for the
purpose of discussing: Proposals for labor negotiations.
RESOLUTIONS:
WHEREAS, the Town seeks to move forward on necessary improvements and expansions to the Woodstock Community Center building, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED to establish the Community Center Capital Project (H .064) for the renovation/rehabilitation of the Community Center, an existing structure of 3,100+/- square feet, presently used for Town Board and other public meetings, for the Senior Recreation Program, the Summer Recreation program, and other programming, for Town-sponsored special events and for other special events, and for the Woodstock Public Access television station, located at 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock, New York, as further described as follows: architectural and engineering fees; improvements to the Public Access station to accommodate new equipment, lavatory facilities, and air conditioning; expansion of the rear stage area, improvements to the building's envelope and devices for more energy efficiency, implementation of layouts and devices compliant with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED to finance the aforementioned project with appropriations from private donations made to the Community Center Trust and Agency Account T09825, and/or appropriations from General Fund Revenues, including incentives from the NYS Energy Development Authority, and/or proceeds from the sale of bond anticipation notes, bonds not to exceed $450,000, and/or reserves established for this purpose, and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED no expenditures shall be made from this fund without the approval of the Woodstock Town Board.
WHEREAS the Town Board will require professional architectural services for the preliminary design and presentation drawings, for models of the renovation and addition project for the existing Woodstock Community Center building, and for a full set of construction documents for bidding purposes, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED to authorize a transfer of up to $50,000 from the Building Capital Reserve (A0.901) type fund to the Community Center Capital Project (H .064) to pay for said professional architectural services, such expenditure being subject to permissive referendum, and BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk shall post a legal notice in the January 25 edition of the Town’s official newspaper reading, “Shall the Town of Woodstock transfer up to $50,000 from the Building Capital Reserve type fund to the Community Center Capital Project to finance professional architectural services for the preliminary design and presentation drawings, for models of the renovation and addition project for the existing Woodstock Community Center building, and for a full set of construction documents for bidding purposes, such expenditure subject to permissive referendum.”
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
It is anticipated that the Board will enter in to EXECUTIVE SESSION at approximately 5:45PM in the Supervisor’s Cottage for the purpose of discussing: Proposals for labor negotiations and
It is expected that the Board will return to REGULAR SESSION at approximately 6:30PM to entertain a motion to adjourn.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Tax Rate Debate- as I see it
The Tax Rate Debate- As I see it
Our Federal Government has been collecting our taxes under a 6 tiered progressive system for about 10 years. This system is now being termed a tax cut for the wealthy and that it needs to be repealed.
What will occur if the current tax rates are changed is a tax increase for every one of us, not just the “wealthy”. And, let me just make one comment about the definition of wealthy. The Clinton era bench mark of $ 250,000 as a household income of “wealth “seems to me to be a tad low. I would suggest adding a couple of zeros to the end of the number to get closer to how I define financial “wealth”.
The 2011 Tax rates as proposed are:
Tax Bracket Married Filing Jointly Single
15% Bracket $0 – $70,040 $0 – $35,020
28% Bracket $70,040 – $141,419 $35,020 – $84,872
31% Bracket $141,419 – $215,528 $84,872 – $177,006
36% Bracket $215,528 – $384,860 $177,006 – $384,860
39.6% Bracket Over $384,860 Over $384,860
http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2010/02/15/2011-federal-income-tax-brackets-irs-income-tax-rates/
The 2010 tax rates are
Married filing jointly Single
10 % $ 0- $16,000 $ 0- 8,350
15 % $ 16, 701- 67,900 $ 8,351- 33,950
25 % $ 67,901- 137, 050 $ 33, 951- 82,250
28 % $ 137,051-208,850 $ 82,251- 171,550
33 % 208, 851- 372, 950 $ 171, 551- 372,950
35 % 372, 951 –and over $ 372, 951 and over Turbotax 2009 tax year
Entrepreneurs, business owners and households that generate between 250,000 and 5 million annually are driving job creation for American workers. (CNBC SQUAWK Box )
I suggest we keep the tax rates the same, let’s get Americans back to work. Engage our State and Federal representatives in an honest conversation about reducing spending NOW. And, work earnestly to close tax loopholes on the WEALTHY who‘s taxable income is over $5, 000,000 annually.
Our Federal Government has been collecting our taxes under a 6 tiered progressive system for about 10 years. This system is now being termed a tax cut for the wealthy and that it needs to be repealed.
What will occur if the current tax rates are changed is a tax increase for every one of us, not just the “wealthy”. And, let me just make one comment about the definition of wealthy. The Clinton era bench mark of $ 250,000 as a household income of “wealth “seems to me to be a tad low. I would suggest adding a couple of zeros to the end of the number to get closer to how I define financial “wealth”.
The 2011 Tax rates as proposed are:
Tax Bracket Married Filing Jointly Single
15% Bracket $0 – $70,040 $0 – $35,020
28% Bracket $70,040 – $141,419 $35,020 – $84,872
31% Bracket $141,419 – $215,528 $84,872 – $177,006
36% Bracket $215,528 – $384,860 $177,006 – $384,860
39.6% Bracket Over $384,860 Over $384,860
http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2010/02/15/2011-federal-income-tax-brackets-irs-income-tax-rates/
The 2010 tax rates are
Married filing jointly Single
10 % $ 0- $16,000 $ 0- 8,350
15 % $ 16, 701- 67,900 $ 8,351- 33,950
25 % $ 67,901- 137, 050 $ 33, 951- 82,250
28 % $ 137,051-208,850 $ 82,251- 171,550
33 % 208, 851- 372, 950 $ 171, 551- 372,950
35 % 372, 951 –and over $ 372, 951 and over Turbotax 2009 tax year
Entrepreneurs, business owners and households that generate between 250,000 and 5 million annually are driving job creation for American workers. (CNBC SQUAWK Box )
I suggest we keep the tax rates the same, let’s get Americans back to work. Engage our State and Federal representatives in an honest conversation about reducing spending NOW. And, work earnestly to close tax loopholes on the WEALTHY who‘s taxable income is over $5, 000,000 annually.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Your vote does count!
Do you think your vote doesn’t count? Are you discouraged by the polarization and mean spiritedness that pervades each campaign?
Many years ago, I decided to not vote in an Onteora school budget vote. I was tired. I forgot to stop at the poles after work, and chose not to get back in the car after dinner and go back to the school and cast my vote in favor of the budget. Guess what? The budget lost by one vote. I’ve made sure to vote ever since.
A wise old Woodstock politico told me long ago that people don’t vote for a candidate, they vote against the person that is in office. If that tactic works for you, this may be the year to use that rationale to vote. If you are fed up with the way our government is run…. Run out of office all those who are in office… no matter what their ardent supporters say. We can ‘t change the problem by re electing the same people over and over.
I prefer voting for a candidate that I like. You don’t see anyone on the ballot that you like? Really. There must be one local candidate who is new to the system and ready to make a try at running for public office. Their intent may be sincere and their ideas may have merit. I would suggest, give them a chance. We are not obliged to blindly vote for a whole slate of candidates. If you are a discouraged voter, pick a local candidate and give them your support. Get used to the new optical machines. Be part of the process. Your vote does count.
“We who live in the U.S. sometimes take self-determination for granted. In this land of opportunity, we are encouraged to dream and work to make our dreams come true.
Nov. 2 is Election Day in the United States. On this occasion, let us reflect on the right to participate in decisions that impact our lives, and stand in solidarity with those the world over who still struggle to realize that right.” Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.
Many years ago, I decided to not vote in an Onteora school budget vote. I was tired. I forgot to stop at the poles after work, and chose not to get back in the car after dinner and go back to the school and cast my vote in favor of the budget. Guess what? The budget lost by one vote. I’ve made sure to vote ever since.
A wise old Woodstock politico told me long ago that people don’t vote for a candidate, they vote against the person that is in office. If that tactic works for you, this may be the year to use that rationale to vote. If you are fed up with the way our government is run…. Run out of office all those who are in office… no matter what their ardent supporters say. We can ‘t change the problem by re electing the same people over and over.
I prefer voting for a candidate that I like. You don’t see anyone on the ballot that you like? Really. There must be one local candidate who is new to the system and ready to make a try at running for public office. Their intent may be sincere and their ideas may have merit. I would suggest, give them a chance. We are not obliged to blindly vote for a whole slate of candidates. If you are a discouraged voter, pick a local candidate and give them your support. Get used to the new optical machines. Be part of the process. Your vote does count.
“We who live in the U.S. sometimes take self-determination for granted. In this land of opportunity, we are encouraged to dream and work to make our dreams come true.
Nov. 2 is Election Day in the United States. On this occasion, let us reflect on the right to participate in decisions that impact our lives, and stand in solidarity with those the world over who still struggle to realize that right.” Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Children's Health - as published in " Come to Woodstock" Oct. issue
Every parent silently shares the universal fear that a life threatening illness may affect their child. Most parents of today would be able to make a doctor visit the help with the diagnosis and recommend the treatments. Dr Norman Burg and Dr Kenneth Bremer were on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week when I was growing up. Their offices were in town and they both were involved in community activities like little league, they were an active part of the community.
Born in August of 1861, Wilber Milton Howland developed scarlet fever during the winter of 1864. His mother, Helen Ophelia Wilber- Howland did her best to ease her little boys’ discomfort. Being a family who were well versed in natural treatments for illness, Wilber’s father Egbert hiked from their home nestled in the Mink Hollow up onto Olderbark Mountain in search of slippery elm bark to help treat his little sons fever. Wet and wear y from his hike, he returned home to find out that their child had died in his absence.
Little Rachel Mower was born in 1880 at her parents homestead out on the Woodstock Saugerties Road. Her death at the tender age of a year and a half is recorded in the Christ’s Lutheran Church records, with the cause of death given as teething. AS it turns out, teething was a common cause of death for toddlers during the 19th century. When the children began to teethe, mothers would begin the process of weaning them off the breast. If the food sources were contaminated, fragile little children might succumb to any number of food borne illnesses. What parent hasn’t experienced the frustration of trying to find the proper way to sooth a teething baby? AT one time, when faced with a distressed infant who has swollen gums, it was a common practice to cut the gums open with a lance. This was believed to help the child’s teeth break through. As with any surgical procedure in the nineteenth century, the risk of infection was extremely high.
Janine Fallon- Mower , local history author. Her latest book, “American Tapestry the Mower’s of Maple Lane” is available thru the author. woodstockfleamarket@hvc.rr.com
Born in August of 1861, Wilber Milton Howland developed scarlet fever during the winter of 1864. His mother, Helen Ophelia Wilber- Howland did her best to ease her little boys’ discomfort. Being a family who were well versed in natural treatments for illness, Wilber’s father Egbert hiked from their home nestled in the Mink Hollow up onto Olderbark Mountain in search of slippery elm bark to help treat his little sons fever. Wet and wear y from his hike, he returned home to find out that their child had died in his absence.
Little Rachel Mower was born in 1880 at her parents homestead out on the Woodstock Saugerties Road. Her death at the tender age of a year and a half is recorded in the Christ’s Lutheran Church records, with the cause of death given as teething. AS it turns out, teething was a common cause of death for toddlers during the 19th century. When the children began to teethe, mothers would begin the process of weaning them off the breast. If the food sources were contaminated, fragile little children might succumb to any number of food borne illnesses. What parent hasn’t experienced the frustration of trying to find the proper way to sooth a teething baby? AT one time, when faced with a distressed infant who has swollen gums, it was a common practice to cut the gums open with a lance. This was believed to help the child’s teeth break through. As with any surgical procedure in the nineteenth century, the risk of infection was extremely high.
Janine Fallon- Mower , local history author. Her latest book, “American Tapestry the Mower’s of Maple Lane” is available thru the author. woodstockfleamarket@hvc.rr.com
Saturday, October 16, 2010
How I started my genealogy hobby.
American Tapestry, the Mowers of Maple Lane Woodstock NY author Janine Fallon Mower tells how she first became interested in genealogy and local history. Contact info to purchase American Tapestry woodstockfleamarket@hvc.rr.com. $ 16.00 plus 4 .00 SH.
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